Airplane Ticket Prices Skyrocket, Aceh Governor Nova Iriansyah Letters To President Jokowi

Aceh Government Spokesperson Muhammad MTA. ANTARA/HO/Humas Government of Aceh

BANDA ACEH - Aceh Governor Nova Iriansyah wrote to President Joko Widodo and several airlines regarding the high price of airplane tickets to and from the western tip of Indonesia.

"The Aceh Governor's letter addresses the spike in flight ticket prices to and from Aceh, especially ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1443 H", said Aceh Government Spokesperson, Muhammad MTA, in Banda Aceh, reported by Antara, Thursday, April 28.

Based on searches, in online sales, the ticket price for Jakarta-Aceh reaches Rp. 9.6 million per person for one way, normally the ticket price is only Rp. 2.6 million per person for one way.

Muhammad MTA said the high selling price of airplane tickets is due to market law which involves the ability of demand and supply.

On the one hand, aircraft seats are limited, while demand continues to increase, especially ahead of Eid. The impact is of course the increase in the price of airline tickets, said Muhammad MTA.

"In addition, the airline is also said to be still operating as it was when there were high cases of COVID-19. Even though people's travel has been relaxed by the government", he said.

Responding to the air transportation problem, said Muhammad MTA, Aceh Governor Nova Iriansyah has taken several important steps, to find a solution to this condition.

Among the letters to the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo. In addition to ticket prices, in the letter, the Governor of Aceh asked Garuda Indonesia to return to serving Banda Aceh-Medan flights and vice versa.

Then, the Governor of Aceh wrote to the airline Air Asia to reopen flights and serve passengers from Banda Aceh to Medan otherwise.

"So far, the Banda Aceh-Medan flight has only been served by one airline, namely Wings Air. In fact, previously several airlines were serving this route", said Muhammad MTA.

Muhammad MTA said the Governor of Aceh also wrote to the Minister of Transportation asking for an evaluation of the flight fare for the Banda Aceh-Medan route which was too expensive.

"In the letter, the Governor of Aceh proposed SIM Airport as an entry point for international flights. The government of Saudi Arabia has reopened the implementation of Umrah from Indonesia", said Muhammad MTA.